TIR 43: Why Curt Jones Remains a Slave to the Rhythm

Brought to you by FUNKNSTUFF.NET and hosted by Scott Goldfine — musicologist and author of “Everything Is on THE ONE: The First Guide of Funk” ― “TRUTH IN RHYTHM” is the interview show that gets DEEP into the pocket with contemporary music’s foremost masters of the groove.

Featured in TIR Episode 43 (three segments): Singer-guitarist-composer-producer Curt Jones, best known for his contributions to funk giant Slave’s classic albums Just a Touch of Love and Stone Jam, and then going on to front seven albums for Aurra and its relaunch as Deja. With the support of Slave’s so-called Fearless Leader, producer and multi-instrumentalist Steve Washington, Aurra was a spinoff that shot out of the gates in the early 1980s with the funky smash hits “Are You Single” and “Make Up Your Mind.” Those songs also featured former Slave vocalist and longtime Jones friend Starleana Young.

In the 1990s Jones went largely off the radar, but came returned with a vengeance to deliver his first solo album in 2006 called 360 Degrees. He followed that up with the epicly diverse and ambitious double-CD Solo in 2010. And most recently in 2015 he came out with another varied and strong collection called simply III. And with songs on it like “Lone Funkateer” you can bet Jones has not forgotten to keep it groovy, although he is also quite adept at soul and ballads.

Get caught up with Jones with this in-depth discussion that swings from New Jersey to Ohio to Texas to Minnesota funk, R&B and all of it a very good time.